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Alex Jones names The One Show co-host who 'taught her everything'

Alex Jones names The One Show co-host who 'taught her everything'

Wales Online6 hours ago
Alex Jones names The One Show co-host who 'taught her everything'
Carmarthenshire's Alex Jones was thrown in the deep end soon after taking up the reins of The One Show, after Jason Manford's sudden departure, but one BBC colleague helped her through
Alex underwent a massive makeover ahead for her first One Show appearance
(Image: Karwai Tang, WireImagevia Getty Images )
Welsh TV star Alex Jones has told the story of how she came to present The One Show, and credits the BBC show's Friday presenter, Chris Evans, with teaching her "everything" she needed to know about anchoring a live television programme.
Speaking to Mark Wogan on his Spooning podcast, Alex explained that she had initially been contacted by The One Show producers in 2010, after then-hosts Adrian Chiles and Christine Lampard had both decided to quit.

She explained that, at first, she hadn't taken the phone call about the job very seriously, not realising that she had been shortlisted as a potential presenter.

She was joined for her initial One Show run by Jason Manford, with Chris Evans filling in on Fridays
(Image: John Phillips, UK Press via Getty Images )
Assuming that the BBC wanted her to just report on a few segments, she turned them down, explaining that she was "too busy" with other work: "I was doing a surfing programme, a poker programme, a holiday programme, a fashion programme, and just in general, like, a bit of a chat show as well on BBC Wales. So I was quite busy, and I thought they meant to be a reporter."
However, when the voice on the other end of the phone informed Alex she was being considered as a potential presenter, she decided that it was someone "winding her up," and put the phone down.
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It was only later that she was persuaded the offer was genuine: "We did six weeks of auditions with various people. And ultimately myself and Jason Manford got the job."
Alex enjoyed an easy on-screen rapport with Chris
(Image: Eamonn McCormack, WireImagevia Getty Images )
Alex had a makeover, involving a haircut and complete wardrobe rethink to make her look less like a surfer chick and more like a tea-time presenter, and began her brief on-screen partnership with Jason.

She recalled how she and Jason were booked into a posh London hotel at first, with neither of them having a permanent residence in London at the time: "Jason and I didn't know anybody in London when we came, so we were like two students ...
"We lived in this hotel in Sloane Square, which was so weird. And I remember that shepherd's pie was £37, and we couldn't believe how expensive it was. We were living this funny life where we didn't know anybody.
She credits Chris with teaching her 'everything' about live TV
(Image: Simon James, GC Imagesvia Getty Images )
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"And after each show, we'd go to the cinema like two kids, because we didn't know anybody who were far away from our families. And then we'd eat this expensive shepherd's pie and complain to the BBC that it was £37 pounds, and why aren't you giving us any expenses?"
But it was her rapport with Jason's Friday afternoon stand-in, Chris Evans that really helped her find her feet, she says: "I still have a real soft spot for him. And he, actually, was the one that taught me everything I know."
After Jason left the show, Chris made it his business to help Alex feel at home in the new London media world she had found herself in: "We just got on like a house on fire and had the best time. And just every Friday, we'd go out after the show. That's when I sort of settled into London, I think," she recalled.
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Oasis fan's heartbreaking moment as band helps her reconnect with her mother with dementia
Oasis fan's heartbreaking moment as band helps her reconnect with her mother with dementia

Wales Online

timean hour ago

  • Wales Online

Oasis fan's heartbreaking moment as band helps her reconnect with her mother with dementia

Oasis fan's heartbreaking moment as band helps her reconnect with her mother with dementia After a bad day Oasis superfan Karen took her mother out for some 'car karaoke' and what happened next will make you smile The brothers are reuniting this weekend in Cardiff to kick off their reunion tour Live '25 (Image: Getty Images ) An Oasis fan has said the band's music changed her life and helped her reconnect to her mother after a dementia diagnosis. Karen, from Ireland, shared her story about her mother's dementia and how Oasis' music got her through the tough days while talking on the new BBC Sounds podcast Mad For Oasis. Her Oasis obsession started during the 90s, much to the disappointment of her mother. However one song particular bonded the two when going through difficult times. 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Fans intending to buy tickets for live events through resale websites should check the ticket terms and conditions, to confirm whether resale is prohibited, before they buy. Ticket terms and conditions can be checked with the original seller, such as Ticketmaster or Live Nation. If resale is prohibited, tickets bought second-hand could be voided and admission to the event refused. Article continues below Limited last-minute tickets can be bought from the official Ticketmaster resale site, where fans who can no longer go sell their seats, although these tend to go into and out of stock quickly. Elsewhere, resale sites like Viagogo, Vivid Seats, StubHub and Twickets are selling tickets for various dates with prices from £121, although fans should always bear in mind that many official sites, such as Ticketmaster and Live Nation, discourage the purchase of resale tickets.

Taskmaster 2025 winner reveals what you didn't see in 'best season ever'
Taskmaster 2025 winner reveals what you didn't see in 'best season ever'

Metro

timean hour ago

  • Metro

Taskmaster 2025 winner reveals what you didn't see in 'best season ever'

Taskmaster season 19 has come to a triumphant end with BBC star Mathew Baynton celebrating an epic victory. The Ghosts actor, 44, won the top spot and a bust of host Greg Davies' head as his reward after undergoing ten weeks of gruelling (and baffling) tasks against his co-stars and fellow comedians. Following behind Mathew's winning 169 points was comedian Stevie Martin with 154 points (who separately won the final episode). In third place was US star Jason Mantzoukas with 150 points, then Rosie Ramsey with 149 points and, coming in last, we had Greg's almost-wife Fatiha El-Ghorri with a respectable 141 points. 'I'm just really happy. I was having so much fun…' Mat told Metro about his victory ahead of the final episode. He joins an exclusive group of past Taskmaster winners including Ed Gamble, Katherine Ryan, Dara Ó Briain and Mae Martin. The Horrible Histories actor wowed audiences, sidekick little Alex Horne, his fellow competitors and, most importantly of all, the titular maestro himself, Greg, to secure the victory on the Channel 4 reality series. The actor has gone viral among the Taskmaster fandom (and beyond) more than once this season for his iconic behaviour – including one task where he and Alex transform from caterpillars into butterflies. Responding to the fan reaction, he said: 'It is lovely and with that one in particular (as with so many of them) I have to big up the team because they're such amazing artists that they take these videos you have and just do such a brilliant job. '[There's] no time, really, to prepare… I was like, 'oh, let's turn into butterflies'' and 'ten minutes later you're in these costumes filming them, and Chrissy, the makeup artist, made us look so funny. 'The brilliance of it is 10% the contestant and 90% the Taskmaster team, who are just a bunch of geniuses.' He added that 'if people knew how it was made, they'd be so much more in awe of that team just making it incredible.' Whether coming up with perfectly executed task prizes (like his fakeout with the biggest anticlimax) or proving his utmost commitment to the tasks no matter how absurd, the Yonderland star brought the skills needed to climb the ranks. For him, however, the most 'humiliating' moments were when had 'messed up' on a task without even realising. 'There was a task where I thought I had done triumphantly well, but I had inexplicably moved a wheelie bin, disqualifying myself in the process or when I shouted 'everybody' to lead along a sing along of a song that I wrote that took me one word over the word limit,' he explained. The Horrible Histories icon ended the final episode to raucous cheers from the live audience before going in for a passionate snog with his newly-acquired trophy. 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More Trending Although he joked: 'I still think my career going forward, as long as I haven't destroyed the possibility of people taking me seriously as an actor, will be in fiction characters.' There will be a 20th season landing on Channel 4 sometime later this year and the line-up has officially been confirmed. Breakthrough comic Ania Magliano, presenter Maisie Adam, Phil Ellis, Inside No, 9 star Reece Shearsmith and actor Sanjeev Bhaskar will join Greg and Alex for the new season. Taskmaster is available to stream on Channel 4. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. View More » MORE: I thought Taskmaster's best days were behind it – I was completely wrong

Aimee Lou Wood shares sweet loved-up snap with her boyfriend Adam Long as she documents her fun-filled Glastonbury weekend
Aimee Lou Wood shares sweet loved-up snap with her boyfriend Adam Long as she documents her fun-filled Glastonbury weekend

Daily Mail​

timean hour ago

  • Daily Mail​

Aimee Lou Wood shares sweet loved-up snap with her boyfriend Adam Long as she documents her fun-filled Glastonbury weekend

Aimee Lou Wood shared a sweet loved-up snap with her boyfriend Adam Long on Thursday. The White Lotus actress, 31, took to her Instagram Story to document some of her fun-filled Glastonbury weekend which included a picture with her 34-year-old partner. Actor Adam is best known for his role as convict Lewis Whippey in Happy Valley and looked like he was enjoying the festival as he relaxed in the snap with Aimee. She looked stylish in a denim dress while Adam - who dressed casually - embraced her at the festival held at Worthy Farm. The pair - who are starring together in the upcoming BBC series Film Club - were first spotted sharing a kiss last month. Aimee has liked all of Adam's social media posts since their Film Club casting was announced last November. She was also quick to praise the star after he completed a sponsored run in aid of Movember and men's mental health awareness. On a snap of the actor and his running buddies, Aimee penned: 'YOU DID IT!!!!!!! ✨' It's believed the pair met last year working on their upcoming BBC Three series, written by Aimee, in which they play a couple. The pair play lovers in the series, which follows Evie (Aimee) who sets up a film club with her best friend Noa (Nabhaan Rizwaan). A BBC synopsis reads: 'It's Friday night. 7pm. Film Club Week 198. Evie hasn't left the house in six months after a 'wobble', and tonight, things are different. 'Noa's got big news. A dream job is taking him across the other side of the country, which means that all of this is ending. That reality is hitting. That they're going to be forced to consider for the first time they might be more than just friends. 'Neither of them are the best when it comes to emotions but this time those emotions might be impossible to ignore... 'As if life weren't challenging enough already, Evie is going to be navigating this amongst the eccentricity of her family home - living with her fiercely loving single mum Suz (Suranne Jones), sister Izzie (Liv Hill), and handsome boyfriend/sometime man of the house Josh (Adam). 'Film Club is a witty and emotional show about love and family, about whether we should follow our hearts or heads, and being in love with a friend.' Speaking about the series, Aimee - who created the show with Ralph Davies - said in a statement: 'I'm thrilled that our beloved TV series Film Club, a project that Ralph and I have been writing for the past decade, starts shooting this week. 'We couldn't be more excited, and grateful, to the incredible team we have assembled with the BBC. 'To bring this to life with Nabhaan and Suranne, two exceptional actors I have always admired, is a real honour.' The series was filmed in Manchester last year and is set for release on BBC iPlayer and BBC Three later this year. Adam, who also starred in Day Of The Jackal and Waterloo Road, has not spoken publicly about his love life. Aimee's last known relationship was with her Sex Education co-star Connor Swindells, who she split from in 2020 after two years together. Connor, 28, who stars in SAS Rogue Heroes, is now married to the Peaky Blinders star, Amber Anderson, 32, who he wed last year. Discussing the reason behind their split, Aimee noted that relationships don't have to consist of a 'goodie' and a 'baddie', but sometimes the combination of two personalities in a dynamic can result in 'unhealthy themes'. She said in an interview with Grazia: 'We'd had some time apart and then we realised that maybe the relationship wasn't serving us both,' before stating that she and Connor still love each other and respect each other. According to Aimee the breakup was amicable and wasn't dramatic. She compared the moment she became single to a dam bursting wide open. She added: 'When I'm in a relationship I find it hard to maintain my sense of self. I'm very independent but also quite impressionable.' MailOnline has contacted Amy and Adam's representatives for comment. In recent months, the star has catapulted to global fame, owing to her role in HBO hit, The White Lotus. However, the actress' personal life caused more headlines than the series itself, with Aimee hitting out at Saturday Night Live for their 'mean and unfunny' parody of the show that mocked her teeth; as well as being embroiled in claims of a 'feud' with her on-screen lover. The SNL sketch featured comedian Sarah Sherman, 32, parodying Aimee's character Chelsea while using fake teeth to mock her, which prompted in widespread outrage. The sketch poked fun at her Manchester U.K. accent and her teeth, with Sarah exclaiming: 'Fluoride? What's that?' In response, Aimee took aim at the 'cheap' joke, writing on Instagram: 'Such a shame cuz I had such a great time watching it a couple weeks ago. Yes, take the p**s for sure - that's what the show is about- but there must be a cleverer, more nuanced, less cheap way?' She also shared messages of support from her followers and sister Emily, admitting she'd received 'thousands' of messages backing her up. Aimee continued: 'Last thing I'll say on the matter. I am not thin skinned. I actually love being taken the p**s out of when it's clever and in good spirits. But the joke was about fluoride. I have big gap teeth not bad teeth. 'I don't mind caricature - I understand that's what SNL is. But the rest of the skit was punching up and I/ Chelsea was the only one punched down On... Okay end of.' To conclude, she shared a comment from a fan that read: 'It was a sharp and funny skit until it suddenly took a screeching turn into 1970's misogyny', she added: 'This sums up my view'. Aimee's rumoured feud with her White Lotus co-star Walton Goggins has also had fans talking in recent months. The rumours hit an all-time high after they unfollowed each other on Instagram. But last week the onscreen lovers put the rumours to bed, tackling the reports head on in a joint interview with Variety. 'There is no feud. I adore, I love this woman madly, and she is so important to me,' Walton insisted. Aimee proceeded to address the outrage over headlines that Goggins unfollowed her on social media, which fans perceived as a sign they did not get along. 'I think it's such a comment on where we're at culturally,' she said over the online fury. 'Why is everyone obsessing over Instagram? That is irrelevant. We don't give a s**t about Instagram.' She explained she wished more people were having 'conversations about the story' of their White Lotus characters, Rick and Chelsea, and simply enjoying the show. As well as her new role in Film Club, Aimee has been kept busy filming series two of her BBC sitcom Daddy Issues. This year will also see her star in crime-thriller film Sweet Dreams, which has been pitched as 'a British Fargo'. Adam's most recent TV role was in the ITV drama Protection, which saw him reunite with Happy Valley co-star Siobhan Finneran. His most famous role to date was in the BAFTA-winning Happy Valley, in which he played a convict who aided James Norton's Tommy Lee Royce in kidnapping the daughter of a wealthy businessman, for ransom.

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